A Q&A with Dr. Rebecca Kason of SageMind Psychology
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one of the most effective, skills-based approaches for helping people navigate intense emotions, relationship challenges, and patterns that keep them feeling stuck. In this Q&A, Dr. Rebecca Kason, PsyD, a clinical psychologist specializing in evidence-based treatments, explains what DBT really is, how it works in everyday life, and why it’s increasingly relevant for adults, children, and teens.
At the intersection of clinical science and practical application, DBT empowers individuals and families with concrete tools for emotional regulation, resilience, and healthier relationships—skills that matter both inside and outside the therapy room.
Understanding DBT and Its Core Teachings
Q: How do you explain DBT in simple terms?
Dr. Rebecca Kason, PsyD: DBT is a skills-based therapy that helps people manage emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships—without losing sight of who they are. At its core, DBT is about balance: accepting yourself as you are while working toward meaningful change. This dialectic of acceptance and change is what makes DBT so powerful.
You don’t have to choose between self-acceptance and growth—DBT teaches you how to practice both at the same time.
Q: What are the foundational skills or modules that DBT focuses on?
Dr. Kason: DBT is built around four core skill areas:
Mindfulness – Becoming aware of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without judgment.
Distress Tolerance – Learning how to survive crises without making things worse.
Emotion Regulation – Understanding and managing emotional responses.
Interpersonal Effectiveness – Communicating needs, setting boundaries, and maintaining self-respect in relationships.
Skills change behavior, and behavior changes lives.
Practical DBT Skills You Can Use Today
Q: Are there specific takeaways people can start using right away?
Dr. Kason: One simple practice is learning to pause before reacting. Skills like paced breathing, grounding, and checking the facts help interrupt emotional spirals. Another key strategy is accurately labeling your emotions. When we can name what we feel, we gain clarity and control.
DBT teaches that emotions aren’t problems to eliminate—they’re signals to understand. That shift alone can be transformative.
DBT for Children and Teens: Building Skills Early
Q: How does DBT support children and teens?
Dr. Kason: DBT is highly effective for children and adolescents because it gives them language and tools for experiences they’re already having. Teens often struggle with peer relationships and self-regulation, while younger children may need support in frustration tolerance and impulsivity.
We often involve parents and caregivers so skills are reinforced at home, creating a shared emotional language across the family. Early skill-building fosters resilience that lasts a lifetime.
Families often report improved communication, reduced conflict, and stronger modeling of healthy emotional regulation—skills that ripple through relationships and home life.
Why DBT Matters Today
Q: Why is DBT particularly relevant now?
Dr. Kason: In a world of high stress, rapid change, and constant stimulation, DBT offers practical strategies to slow down, stay grounded, and respond thoughtfully rather than reactively. These tools are useful for managing anxiety, parenting challenges, workplace stress, or major life transitions. DBT equips people not just to reduce symptoms, but to build meaningful, manageable lives.
Learning More and Next Steps
DBT is not about perfection; it’s about progress. At SageMind Psychology, DBT is offered across the lifespan, with specialized support for children, teens, and adults. Programs include:
Adult DBT Program – Comprehensive skills training in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT for Children & Adolescents – Age-appropriate programs that support emotional development, family communication, and school functioning.
DBT Skills Groups and Intensives – Community-based support that reinforces skills alongside individual therapy.
For adults engaged in longer-term psychodynamic or insight-oriented therapy, DBT skills serve as a stabilizing and capacity-building supplement. By strengthening affect regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal awareness, DBT creates the emotional safety needed for deeper therapeutic exploration.
If you’re curious whether DBT or an integrated therapeutic approach might be the right fit for you or your family, book a complimentary consultation with Dr. Rebecca Kason, PsyD to explore services, groups, and next steps.